Located in the deepest bowels of a downtown SF shopping mall. Less espresso bar than its neighborhood sisters, and more counter café (sandwiches, pastries, and coffee) - with Segafredo-branded red & black tables and chairs at the bottom of a tall atrium. Bland, overpriced, reheated food makes your high school cafeteria seem like a step up. Modern three-group La San Marco machine still shows the dent from when a customer leapt five floors onto it, and lived, in June 2003 (replaced in late 2007 with a dingier La Spaziale). With it they produce a very dark brown crema that rapidly thins. Over-roasted burnt, and somewhat bitter, flavor is primarily ashy - although it does have a full mouthfeel and a more pleasant aftertaste. S.F.'s Coffeemax services their machine and could do much better. [CLOSED: Rebranded Café Bellini in 2007.]